A leopard reportedly entered a thickly populated locality in the Veraval city centre and spread panic.

According to reports, the full-grown leopard was first spotted on the outskirts of the city. It later reappeared on the terrace of a house in the Khadkhad area and then at a house in the Krishna Nagar Society.

The news of the animal’s entry into the city spread like wild fire and people soon gathered at the site. The police immediately rushed to the spot to control the situation.

VeravalRangeForest officials rushed to the spot, along with a tranquilliser gun procured from the Sasan Gir forest headquarters and after an hour’s exercise, tranquillised and caged the big cat. Later the animal was shifted to Sasan.

Incidentally, this is the first time in the history of Veraval that a leopard has entered the city. Officials said the leopard might have come from the adjoining Gir Forests.